Download 2021 Microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0 Provider For Both 64-bit 〈2026〉
The provider is part of the Microsoft Access Database Engine. To use it in both 32-bit and 64-bit environments on the same machine, you typically need to install the Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010 Redistributable or the newer 2016 Redistributable using a command-line workaround, as Microsoft generally prevents installing both bitness versions through the standard interface. Official Download Links
Download AccessDatabaseEngine.exe from Microsoft. Install your primary architecture normally. Then install the second architecture using AccessDatabaseEngine.exe /quiet from an admin command prompt. download microsoft.ace.oledb.12.0 provider for both 64-bit
| Error Message | Likely Cause | Solution | |---------------|--------------|----------| | "Provider not registered" | Bitness mismatch or not installed | Install correct bit version. | | "Cannot update. A newer version is already installed" | Office 365 or newer ACE engine present | Uninstall newer engine first or use /passive . | | "Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0 is not recognized" | Missing redistributable | Download and install from official link. | | "External table is not in the expected format" | File corruption or Excel version mismatch | Save file as .xlsx or repair file. | | " cannot start your application. The workgroup information file is missing" | Access security issue | Ensure .mdw file path is correct in connection string. | The provider is part of the Microsoft Access Database Engine
| Your Application Bitness | Required Provider Bitness | Typical Error if Mismatched | |--------------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------| | 32-bit (e.g., old VB6 app) | 32-bit ACE.OLEDB.12.0 | "Provider not registered" | | 64-bit (e.g., SQL Server 2016+) | 64-bit ACE.OLEDB.12.0 | "Provider not registered" | | 64-bit PowerShell | 64-bit ACE.OLEDB.12.0 | "Cannot load" | Install your primary architecture normally
: If you specifically need the 12.0 version, some community members host archived links through platforms like Chocolatey or the Wayback Machine. 2. How to Install Both (Side-by-Side)